RULES

Photography Contest NATURE AND HUMANS Third Edition (2025)

Contest Rules

The DESEA Foundation www.fundaciondesea.es (abbreviated name of Sustainable Development Foundation ADF, registered in the State Foundation Registry of the Ministry of Justice under number 2,453, whose objectives have been declared by the Spanish State to be of general interest), hereinafter the Foundation, or the Organizing Entity, announces the third edition of the Photography Contest “Nature and Humans,” governed by these rules.

The “Nature and Humans” Photography Contest is organized into SIX special categories, SIX thematic categories, and THREE additional prizes (youth, children, and popular vote).

The total amount of prizes exceeds €15,768 (fifteen thousand seven hundred sixty-eight euros), with €8,800 (eight thousand eight hundred euros) in cash prizes. It is therefore one of the most generous contests in the Spanish and international circuit.

Additionally, it features a jury composed of photographers of great international prestige. In Rule 2 the categories are detailed and in Rule 4 the prizes and sponsors are detailed.

In this 2025 edition we continue to propose four special categories, each awarded €2,000 in cash (a total of €8,000 in cash among the four), contributed by the Foundation. Three of them are photojournalism and conservation categories (called “Conservation Photography”) and the fourth is the category called “Nature Told by Women Photographers.” There are two other special categories, called “The Beauty of the Planet” and “The Beauty of Spain” which are sponsored by WildWatchingSpain.

The six thematic categories (Mammals, Birds, Oceans, Other Animals, Landscape, and Creative) are sponsored by SONY and OM SYSTEM – world-leading brands in photographic equipment –, by Fotografiarte – one of the best distributors of photographic equipment in Spain –, and by the Foundation.

Likewise, we maintain a prize for young photographers (under 18 years), and a prize by popular vote. We include, as a novelty this year, a prize for child photographers (under 15 years).

Finally, once again we count on the generous collaboration of PANGEA (the largest travel store in Spain), and of FONAMAD (Association of Nature Photographers of Madrid) and of AFONA (ARGENTINE ASSOCIATION OF NATURE PHOTOGRAPHERS).

RULE 1 – PARTICIPANTS
The NATURE AND HUMANS Photography Contest is open to both amateur and professional photographers of any nationality.
Each participant must have a valid email address.

NATURE PHOTOGRAPHY, BY AND FOR CONSERVATION
Jacques Cousteau said that “humans only protect what they love and only love what they know.” At the Foundation we want to get all people — especially the new generations — to commit throughout their lives to the conservation of nature. And we think the best way to achieve this is to show the beauty of nature, using the power of the universal language of photography.

For all these reasons, with this NATURE AND HUMANS Photography Contest we seek images that are:

• spectacularly beautiful, inspiring in the viewer the need to conserve the wonderful nature that surrounds us,
• that contribute to environmental education and awareness, and
• that help us reflect on the relationship of people with nature.

Below, as examples (the list is not exhaustive), we mention some content that would make an image inspire the idea of conservation:

• endangered species, especially if classified as critically endangered by the IUCN.
• protected areas, not only the most iconic on the planet (such as the Arctic, the Amazon…), but also protected natural areas of Spain, especially those under greater pressure (such as Doñana, Daimiel, the Ebro Delta, etc).
• especially motivating scenes of love for nature.
• examples of the relationship between humans and nature, both positive and negative.

Participants must, in the description of the photographs submitted, explain what they see in their images that inspires and helps nature conservation.

RULE 2 – THEME AND CATEGORIES

The theme of the contest will be nature photography in all its areas and with the restrictions in these rules. The contest organization reserves the right to reject the registration of any image that does not comply with these rules or that is considered outside the theme of the contest.

Below, we list the categories of the contest, starting with the six special categories, followed by the six thematic categories, and the two additional categories, Youth and Popular Vote. More details about prizes per category can be found in Rule 4.

01 – Special Category “Conservation Photography – Thematic Series”
This category awards a series of six images, with a common conservation theme. The winning series will receive a cash prize of €1,500, and the honorary mention series (second place) will receive a cash prize of €500.

02 – Special Category “Conservation Photography – Single Image”
This category awards a single image with a clear conservation message. The winning image will receive a cash prize of €1,500, and the honorary mention image (second place) will receive a cash prize of €500.

03 – Special Category “Conservation Photography – Spain”
This category awards a single image with a clear conservation message, taken in Spain. The winning image will receive a cash prize of €1,500, and the honorary mention image (second place) will receive a cash prize of €500.

The three special categories “Conservation Photography” seek images that investigate the relationship between the natural environment and us, human beings. Images can be challenging, uplifting, provocative or revealing, and must illustrate how our attitudes, decisions and actions impact the natural environment, positively or negatively. Originality will be especially valued, and images must help reinforce environmental awareness. The author must explain the fact/object of denunciation in detail, providing concrete data. Judges will have access to this information during the selection phases.

Likewise, the three special “Conservation Photography” categories are the only ones that accept images of non-free or non-wild animals: animals in rehabilitation centers, or in situations of economic exploitation (factory farms, circuses, slaughterhouses, etc.), or similar. They are also the only ones that accept images of dead animals (species trafficking, poaching, articles made with animal parts, etc.). Although these three special categories, because of their denunciation content, may lend themselves to especially harsh or graphic images, the Organizing Entity wishes to clarify that an excessively harsh image will not necessarily be considered more effective in the field of conservation.

04 – Special Category “Nature Told by Women”
This category awards a story about Nature, told by a female photographer, with a series of six images. The winning story will receive a cash prize of €1,500. The honorary mention story (second place) will receive a cash prize of €500.

05 – Special Category “The Beauty of the Planet”
A single image showing the amazing beauty and fragility of animal species on our planet. Images presented in this category must have been taken on any nature photography trip outside Spain organized by Wildwatching Spain, after January 1, 2021.

06 – Special Category “The Beauty of Spain”
A single image showing the amazing beauty and fragility of animal species in Spain. Images presented in this category must have been taken in any “hide” or observation outing organized in Spain by Wildwatching Spain, after January 1, 2021.

07 – Mammals Category
Wild and free mammals, at any stage of their life, anywhere on the planet.

08 – Birds Category
Wild and free birds, at any stage of their life, anywhere on the planet. Images of nests will not be accepted under any circumstances.

09 – Oceans Category
Underwater images taken in the seas and oceans of our planet. The animal species portrayed must, of course, be wild and free.

10 – Other Animals Category
Images of any animal not included in the categories Mammals, Birds, and Oceans, wild and free, at any stage of their life, anywhere on the planet.

11 – Landscape Category
Images of natural paradises still found on our planet.

12 – Creative Category
In this category, images must propose new visions of the natural world that go beyond the obvious. Using a visual language focused on colors, shapes, and textures, with great prominence of abstraction and originality, the goal of this category is to seduce, surprise, awaken emotions, and help the viewer surrender to contemplation.

13 – Special Prize Young Photographer
In this category, we expect nature images, without limitation of theme or content (except, logically, respecting the contest’s ethical code), taken by persons who have not reached 18 years old by June 1, 2025.

14 – Special Prize Child Photographer
In this category, we expect nature images, without limitation of theme or content (except, logically, respecting the contest’s ethical code), taken by persons who have not reached 15 years old by June 1, 2025.

15 – Special Prize Popular Vote
The Jury will select a series of images to be submitted to a popular vote, which will be held through the contest’s website or Instagram page.
During the evaluation process, and only with the express agreement of the Jury, the Organizing Entity reserves the right to move an image from one category to another.

RULE 3 – ETHICAL CODE
The practice of any type of photography requires a solid ethical code, and in the case of nature photography, this requirement is even more important. It is essential to avoid interfering with the behavior of animals, and of course even more to avoid any type of disturbance, stress, or suffering. Animal welfare always takes priority over obtaining a photograph.

This is especially important in the case of the three special “Conservation Photography” categories, since in these categories—and in no others—the contest accepts images of domestic or farm animals, or animals whose freedom has been manipulated in some way. In these cases, the possibility of disturbing the animal is increased. Therefore, any image for which the Jury can reasonably consider that the welfare of the animal has been compromised will be disqualified.

Additionally, it is strictly forbidden to submit images obtained using live bait, a practice that the Organizing Entity considers highly unethical and discourages anyone interested in photography and nature from using.

Another essential aspect of the ethical code in nature photography is authenticity and truthfulness. Moderate editing of images is allowed, but images that distort nature in a misleading way are not allowed, except in the “Creative” category. If an obvious intention to deceive is detected from a participant, the Organizing Entity reserves the right to disqualify all images submitted by that person.

The contest recommends the Ethical Decalogue of Aefona, which can be consulted on the contest website (www.natureandhumans.com). Likewise, we recommend reading resources from the International League of Conservation Photographers (iLCP) such as “From Wild to Captive: A Call for Ethics in Modern Nature Photography” https://www.conservationphotographers.org/ethics-nature-photography and “A light touch: Reflections on using additional light when photographing wildlife” (https://www.conservationphotographers.org/u/ilcp/post/ilcp-april-15).

RULE 4 – PRIZES AND SPONSORS
In total, the contest offers more than €15,768 (fifteen thousand seven hundred sixty-eight euros), of which €8,800 (eight thousand eight hundred euros) are cash prizes, with the following detail:

• Special Category 01 “Conservation Photography – thematic series”
  The winning series will receive a cash prize of €1,500 (one thousand five hundred euros), and the honorary mention (the second classified series) will receive a cash prize of €500 (five hundred euros), both offered by the Foundation.
• Special Category 02 “Conservation Photography – single image” The winning image will receive a cash prize of €1,500 (one thousand five hundred euros), and the honorary mention (the second classified image) will receive a cash prize of €500 (five hundred euros), both offered by the Foundation.
•  Special Category 03 “Conservation Photography – Spain”
  The winning image will receive a cash prize of €1,500 (one thousand five hundred euros), and the honorary mention (the second classified image) will receive a cash prize of €500 (five hundred euros), both offered by the Foundation.
• Special Category 04 “Nature Told by Women”
  The winning story will receive a cash prize of €1,500 (one thousand five hundred euros), offered by the Foundation. The honorary mention (the second classified story) will receive a cash prize of €500 (five hundred euros), offered by the Foundation.
   
• Special Category 05 “The Beauty of the Planet.”
  The winning image will be awarded a €1,000 (one thousand euros) voucher, with no expiration date, redeemable on the booking of any international trips offered by Wildwatching Spain.
   
• Special Category 06 “The Beauty of Spain.”
  The winning image will be awarded a €500 (five hundred euros) voucher, with no expiration date, redeemable on the booking of any nature photography hides offered by Wildwatching Spain.
   
• Thematic Category 07 – Mammals.
  The winning image will be awarded SONY photographic equipment, offered by SONY Spain. The exact equipment to be delivered is to be confirmed but its RRP will exceed €1,700 in any case.
   
• Thematic Category 08 – Birds.
  The winning image will be awarded a €500 (five hundred euros) voucher redeemable for photographic equipment purchases at Fotografiarte, one of the best specialist distributors in photography in Spain.
   
• Thematic Category 09 – Oceans.
  The winning image will be awarded an OM-5 Mark II camera with 12-45 mm lens, offered by OM SYSTEM. The recommended retail price of this equipment is €1,549.
   
• Thematic Category 10 – Other Animals.
  The winning image will be awarded €300 (three hundred euros) in cash, offered by the Foundation.
•  Thematic Category 11 – Landscape.
  The winning image will be awarded a compact camera waterproof up to 15 meters without a housing, offered by OM SYSTEM. The recommended retail price of this equipment is €519.
• Thematic Category 12 – Creative.
  The winning image will be awarded a €300 (three hundred euros) voucher redeemable for photographic equipment purchases at FotoRuanoPro (one of the best specialist distributors in photography in Spain), and €150 (one hundred fifty euros) in cash, offered by the Foundation.
   
• Special Prize 13 – Youth.
  The winning image will be awarded a set of photography books valued at €300 (three hundred euros), and up to €100 (one hundred euros) in cash to cover shipping costs, all offered by the Foundation.
   
• Special Prize 14 – Child.
  The winning image will be awarded a set of photography books valued at €300 (three hundred euros), and up to €100 (one hundred euros) in cash to cover shipping costs, all offered by the Foundation.
   
• Special Prize 15 – Popular Vote.
  The winning image will be awarded a gift card offered by Pangea valued at €300 (three hundred euros), and €150 (one hundred fifty euros) in cash, offered by the Foundation.

Additionally, FONAMAD will offer free membership during 2025 to all prize winners (with winning image, honorary mention, or finalist), or a gift of similar value if the prize winners are already FONAMAD members.

HONORABLE MENTIONS. An honorary mention (the series or image that placed second) will be named in each of the fourteen categories.
The authors of the winning images and honorable mentions may request their corresponding digital diploma from the Organizing Entity.
FINALISTS. At least two finalists will be named in each of the fourteen categories.

The winning images, honorable mentions, and finalists of all categories will be published in a gallery on the contest website (www.natureandhumans.com) and in the contest’s printed catalog. Additionally, the Organizing Entity and other sponsors and collaborators may do the same on their websites and social media (see Rule 13 on Copyright). 

Each prize will be awarded directly by each sponsor. The Organizing Entity will put prize winners in contact with sponsors to arrange delivery of each prize. The prize amounts will be subject to withholding according to current tax regulations in Spain.

The Foundation, as the Organizing Entity of the Contest, wishes to thank all sponsors and collaborators for their generosity and support.

The Organizing Entity of the Contest may add new prizes to those mentioned once the contest has started. This will be duly announced and published on the Contest’s website platform and on the Contest’s social media (IG: @natureandhumansphoto) and the Foundation’s social media (IG: @fundacion_desea).

Likewise, the Organizing Entity may substitute all or part of any of the mentioned prizes for another prize of similar or greater economic value.

RULE 5 – PARTICIPATION FEE

Participants must pay a participation fee of 25 euros, regardless of the number of photographs submitted.

Members of FONAMAD (Nature Photographers of Madrid) and AFONA (ARGENTINE ASSOCIATION OF NATURE PHOTOGRAPHERS) may participate by paying a reduced participation fee of 15 euros.

The Organizing Entity may extend the offer of a reduced participation fee to other photographic associations, which, if applicable, will be duly announced and published on the Contest’s web platform and on the Contest’s social media (IG: @natureandhumansphoto) and the Foundation’s social media (IG: @fundacion_desea).

The participation fee must be paid by credit card or PayPal, following the instructions on the Contest’s web platform.

Participants under 18 years of age may participate free of charge. They must have the appropriate authorization from one of their parents or guardians. They must be under 18 years old as of June 1, 2025. To participate for free, minors must contact the Contest management in advance at the email natureandhumans@fundaciondesea.es. The organization will request documentary proof of age from those wishing to participate free of charge.

HONORABLE MENTIONS. An honorable mention (the series or image that placed second) will be awarded in each of the fourteen categories.

The authors of the category-winning images and honorable mentions may request their corresponding diploma in digital format from the Organizing Entity.

FINALISTS. At least two finalists will be named in each of the fourteen categories.

Winning images, honorable mentions, and finalists from all categories will be published in a gallery on the Contest’s web platform (www.natureandhumans.com) and in the printed Contest catalog. Additionally, the Organizing Entity and other sponsors and collaborators may do the same on their websites and social media (see Base 13 regarding Copyright).

Each prize will be awarded directly by each sponsor. The Organizing Entity will put the prize winners in contact with the sponsors to arrange the delivery of each prize. The prize amounts will be subject to withholding according to current tax legislation. Winners must provide their full name, tax address, and tax identification number (NIF) in order to receive the prizes.

The Foundation, as the Organizing Entity of the Contest, wishes to thank all sponsors and collaborators for their generosity and support.

The Organizing Entity may add new prizes to those mentioned once the contest has started. This will be duly announced and published on the Contest’s web platform and on the Contest’s social media (IG: @natureandhumansphoto) and the Foundation’s social media (IG: @fundacion_desea).

Likewise, the Organizing Entity may substitute all or part of any of the mentioned prizes with another prize of similar or greater economic value.

RULE 6 – SUBMISSION OF PHOTOGRAPHS AND THEIR REQUIREMENTS

Participation is exclusively digital, through the Contest’s website platform: www.natureandhumans.com

Photographs must be submitted in JPG format and must contain their metadata or Exif data. This data is automatically encrypted, and the judges cannot view it at any time, so it is not a problem if the metadata includes the authorship of the image. Images must be submitted without frames, signatures, or watermarks.

IMPORTANT: The JPG image must have a minimum of 3000 pixels on its long side and a resolution of 300 dpi. The maximum file size for each image is 100 MB.

Contestants may, at the time of submitting their photographs to the contest, also attach the RAW file of each image. Although submitting the RAW file is optional when submitting the JPG, contestants may choose to do so to save the work of uploading the RAW later, if their image is selected for the final stage (at which point uploading the RAW will be mandatory).

Each contestant may submit a maximum of 30 photographs and freely choose the distribution of the images among the categories.

The same photograph may not be submitted in more than one category.

In the case of photographs that reach the final stage, the jury may request any clarification it deems relevant about the image to ensure compliance with the rules. Failure by the participant to respond will result in the disqualification of the photograph.

Originality is important. The jury will take into account whether any of the submitted images has won a first prize (overall prize or category prize) in any of the main Spanish or international contests, and whether this fact is known at the time of their deliberations.

Each image must be accompanied by a caption, comment, or description*.

* IMPORTANT NOTE: The description of each image must include a brief comment explaining the reason why the image inspires conservation, in line with what is stated in the preamble of these rules. Failure to provide this comment may result in the disqualification of the image.

Photographs uploaded to the Contest’s website platform may be modified or deleted at any time until the participant decides to close their participation, or on the closing date of the Contest, at which time the submitted images will be considered final.

We stress: except in the three special “Conservation Photography” categories, only images of free and wild animals will be accepted. If the behavior of the wild animal has been induced or provoked in any way, or if the animal has been handled in any way, this must be explained in maximum detail in the description of the image.

Images that do not comply with these rules, themes, and categories — especially those points mentioned in Base 3 (Ethical Code) — will not be accepted in the contest.

RULE 7 – PHOTOGRAPH PROCESSING

Moderate processing of the original photograph is allowed: adjustments of brightness, contrast, saturation, levels, curves, color casts, etc. In all cases, the adjustments must not fundamentally alter the appearance of the original image.

Moderate cropping is allowed, provided that the resulting JPG exceeds 3000 pixels on its long side without interpolation.

It is allowed to submit black-and-white versions of original color images.

It is not allowed to add or remove anything from the image, nor to clone or make similar manipulations to the image. The only exception to this rule is the removal of dust spots from the sensor. Lens distortion and optical aberration corrections are permitted.

RULE 8 – VERIFICATION OF JPG AND RAW

To verify compliance with the provisions of Base 7, all finalist images will be reviewed by comparing the JPG file submitted to the contest with the original RAW file. Any finalist image for which the original RAW file is not provided within the required time frame will be disqualified. Only DNG files will be accepted as RAW files if this is the original file from the camera or drone.

The technical shooting parameters will be automatically extracted from the data embedded in the image file, so it is not necessary to specify them, but they must be present in each JPG photograph submitted.

RULE 9 – CALENDAR

The most important dates of the Contest are:

May 24, 2025 – Opening date for submission of photographs to the contest.
September 28, 2025 (23:59 h) – Deadline for submission of photographs.
October 13, 2025 – Request for RAW files of images in the final round.
October 26, 2025 (23:59 h) – Deadline for submission of RAW files.
November 2025 – Deliberations, voting, Jury’s decision.
Early December 2025 – Announcement of winning images (except the winner of the Popular Vote).
December 2025 – Development of the Popular Vote (whose details will be duly announced in due time) and announcement of the images awarded in the Popular Vote. We will contact the winners to arrange the delivery of each prize. Sending of the Contest’s PDF catalogue to all participants. Online awards ceremony, if applicable.

In principle, the deadline for submission of photographs to the contest will not be extended. The organization may decide on a short extension if very special circumstances occur. This decision will be sufficiently publicized on the Contest’s website platform and on the Contest’s Instagram account (@natureandhumansphoto). This extension should not substantially alter the rest of the dates.

An online awards ceremony may be organized with the aim of promoting the Contest and the winning images to the widest possible audience.

RULE 10 – THE JURY

The jury is composed of photographers and/or experts in nature and conservation of recognized national and international prestige. Their names and a brief biography will be published on the Contest’s web platform.

The members of the Jury will individually evaluate each image through the Contest’s web platform without knowing at any time the authorship of the image.

All decisions will be made collectively and are final.

Neither the members of the Jury, nor the Contest director, nor their relatives up to second degree may participate in this Contest.

RULE 11 – CONTACT

The Organizing Entity of the Contest may contact any participant from the email address natureandhumans@fundaciondesea.es directed to the participant’s registration account. It is recommended to include this address in the email contacts to avoid communications being blocked by security and anti-spam systems.

The Contest’s website has a “Contact” section for any technical questions or comments. It is also possible to contact the Contest director, Arturo de Frías, with more general comments or suggestions at the same email address natureandhumans@fundaciondesea.es or at arturodefrias@fundaciondesea.es

RULE 12 – SPECIAL COLLABORATORS

The special collaborators of the Contest are: Viajes de Autor SL, through its commercial brand, PANGEA The Travel Store, FONAMAD (Nature Photographers of Madrid), AFONA (ARGENTINE ASSOCIATION OF NATURE PHOTOGRAPHERS), NCJ Media Solutions, and Grávalos Graphic Applications.

RULE 13 – COPYRIGHT

Participants must be the sole holders of the copyright of the photographs and will be fully responsible for ensuring that no third-party rights exist on the submitted works. Therefore, participants assume responsibility before the organizers and the Foundation for all economic charges that may arise in favor of third parties due to actions, claims, or conflicts derived from the breach of these obligations by the participants.

Both the Organizing Entity, sponsors, and special collaborators of the Contest may make and store copies of the awarded photographs (winners, honorable mentions, and finalists) for reproduction in digital or printed format, in exhibitions, projections, or publications, including their inclusion, temporarily or permanently, on the Contest’s web platform or on their websites and social media. The Organizing Entity, sponsors, and special collaborators may also use them for future promotion of the Contest by any means, including social media.

Participants retain all their rights over the submitted images and only grant, non-exclusively, the right of publication solely for the aforementioned purpose. Any awarded photograph published by the Organizing Entity, sponsors, or special collaborators must clearly indicate the authorship in a legible manner.

RULE 14 – TERMS OF USE AND PRIVACY AND SECURITY POLICY

Each participant declares to have read and understood the terms of use and the privacy and security policy contained in the “Legal Information” section of the Contest website, expressly accepting them.

RULE 15 – ACCEPTANCE OF THE RULES

Participation in this contest implies full acceptance of each and every one of these rules, as well as the jury’s decision, which shall be final and unappealable in any case. The Contest organization may also resolve, with equally unappealable character, any case not foreseen in these rules.